Meet Our Coaches

Mr. Crocker began his judo career in 1973 at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Jefferson City, Missouri under head judo instructor, Daniel Russell of Mid-Missouri Judo.  After Sensei Russell relocated to Chicago, Sensei Crocker continued studying judo under Randol Russell, Daniel Russell’s brother.  Mr. Crocker still continues his study of judo under Sensei Russell.

 

Mr. Crocker is a 4th degree black belt in judo and a 2nd degree black belt in jujitsu spanning over 40 years in the study of judo.  He competed at the local, regional, national, and international levels in judo as a competitor and continues teaching and coaching today in Kimura Judo, his judo club.  Sensei Crocker was the head judo instructor of the Jefferson City YMCA from September 1997 until December 2001.  During this time, he also developed the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Judo Program as head judo instructor from August 2000 to December 2001.

 

Mr. Crocker has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Economics, and a Master of Business Administration degree in management, from Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri.  He also studied at the University of Central Missouri and the University of Missouri.

 

Sensei Crocker pursued a long-time career in marketing and public health in the Missouri state government retiring in 2007.  During his time in state government, he had several articles published in major public health journals.  Sensei Crocker also has a distinguished military career in the United States Army.  His military service spans over 28 years serving in many assignments until his retirement in 2007.  He is a combat veteran of Vietnam and served in Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He holds many awards and decorations.